Profile: The early announcement from manager Clint Hurdle has it that Hanrahan will enter the season as the closer, so this battle may be a fait accomplit. Certainly, Hanrahan has the strikeout rate of a closer (12.92 K/9 last year, 10.30 career), and combined with what ended up being the best command of his career last year (3.36 BB/9) he should make for an excellent closer. Sure, he's a fly-ball pitcher and has had some unlucky years, but he brings mid-nineties heat, owns an excellent slider that he throws a ton, and should do fine with mostly empty basepaths and a lead. And perhaps it even makes sense to use Evan Meek, who gets grounders from lefties and doesn't have the same career strikeoute rate, in innings where there are a few ducks on the pond. Hanrahan makes for a fine, cheap option at his position. (Eno Sarris)

The Quick Opinion: Looking for a cheap closer? Hanrahan is your man. Announced as the closer going into the season, and owner of a double-digit strikeout rate, there's little (other than some unlucky years and a fly-ball tendency) to hold against the man.

Profile: Why screw around when you have a 97-100 mph fastball? Hanrahan didn't screw around in his first full season as a closer, and it produced a career-best 2.18 FIP and 40 saves. The Hammer threw his fastball (averaging 97.1 MPH) about 83 percent of the time, compared to the low sixties in recent seasons. That heater-heavy approach led to fewer strikeouts (eight per nine frames), but it also led to the lowest walk rate (2.1 per nine) and highest ground ball percentage (52.4) of his career. Hanrahan has made a dramatic transformation from his Nationals days, when he racked up strikeouts with a wipeout slider but never kept a high-leverage role due to his spotty control. He's firmly entrenched in Pittsburgh now, especially after injuries wrecked Evan Meek's season. (David Golebiewski)

The Quick Opinion: Draft the Hammer high and shout "can't touch this" as he blows upper-90s gas past hitters. Just don't break out the parachute pants.

Profile: Despite walk rates that we can only describe as Crazy Town Banana Pants, Joel Hanrahan assembled a 2.72 ERA with a 4.45 FIP. Given that this represents the first time Hanrahan has veered above a 3.90 FIP since becoming a reliever, it may be reasonable to brush off the last few months of the 2012 season -- when Hanrahan threw the ball in every one of the 360 degrees except the one degree represented by home plate. At this point, though, it is safest to expect something akin to his 2010 season in terms of ERA. If he cannot pull his walk numbers back to his previous, elite levels, then he may be in for a 3.50ish ERA and possibly fewer than 30 saves. (Bradley Woodrum)

The Quick Opinion: Hanrahan had some serious walk problems in 2012, but dodged any major repercussions in his ERA or save totals. If those walk numbers don't improve, be ready to sell and sell fast.

Profile: The news went from bad to worse for Joel Hanrahan in a hurry. Coming off a 2012 where Hanrahan somehow posted a 2.72 ERA despite a 15% walk rate for the Pirates, Pittsburgh turfed him to the Red Sox who headed into 2013 with him anchoring the back of their bullpen. Fate did not smile kindly on "The Hammer" as he posted even worse walk rates while completely imploding on multiple occasions during the first month of the season. It was eventually discovered that Hanrahan had a torn UCL and needed Tommy John surgery. Welp, there goes 12-16 months. Whether or not Hanrahan's declining velocity and loss of control are directly a result of his elbow woes, he's facing a steep uphill battle back to fantasy relevance. He'll almost certainly head into 2014 on an incentive-laden one-year deal as a middle reliever for some team willing to gamble on him rebuilding value. Given his May surgery, he can't be reasonably counted on to contribute in any significant fashion until at least the all-star break. Possibly an interesting candidate in 2015 depending on how he bounces back, Hanrahan is off the redraft radar this year, and is probably not worth a hold in keeper/dynasty leagues, even with his pedigree. (Colin Zarzycki)

The Quick Opinion: After wild showings in 2012 and 2013, Hanrahan required Tommy John surgery in May. His rehab is progressing well, so he'll probably see time in someone's bullpen in 2014. However, since he won't pitch until mid-season and won't be gifted a closer gig, he's not worth drafting.